Diana doin’ it for the kids

A gig at the Annandale Hotel to raise funds for a preschool in the Palestinian city of Jenin on the West Bank has drawn an eclectic cast of performers — from Australian Idol winner Wes Carr to Paul Gray of ’80s pop band Wa Wa Nee.

Also on the bill is independent pop-rock singer-songwriter Diana Anaid, whose career so far has ranged from ’90s indie anthem I Go Off to the 2004 big shiny LA-rock record Beautiful Obscene.

“I like to lend my support to good causes, particularly something like this that benefits children. That’s why I do music, so I can be a voice for important issues like this,” Anaid told Sydney Star Observer.

“And I’ve just gotten back from America, where I played folk in Memphis and rock in LA, but I’ve noticed that there’s nowhere as diverse and amazing as the Australian music industry,” she said of the eclectic list of acts she’ll be performing alongside on the night.

Anaid also launches a new single this week — a faithful take on 4 Non Blondes’ early-’90s classic, What’s Up?, available now on iTunes.

“It’s a song that’s really close to my heart, and I have a bit of a personal connection with Linda Perry, the songwriter, from when I lived in LA in 2004/05. This is a bit of a tribute to her, and the fans have really taken to it,” Anaid said.
The single is the second from a new album, out on April 16 — her first since Beautiful Obscene, with a proper tour to follow in May. In the meantime, fans can get a taste of Anaid’s new material at Sunday’s gig.

info: Diana Anaid headlines the Not To Forget fundraiser at the Annandale Hotel, Sunday, March 28. Visit www.annandale.com and www.dianaanaid.com

About the AuthorNick Bond

Entertainment Editor Nick Bond has written for the Star Observer since helping to found our Melbourne operation in 2008. Since then, he's interviewed two Spice Girls, three Scissor Sisters and a Minogue, to name a few. Follow Nick on Twitter @bondnickbond